Surplus Friendly City Items Hitting the Auction Block

October 25, 2012

Those who love a good bargain and are in the market for furniture, a GPS unit, an inexpensive car or even a garbage truck may want to check out this weekend's City of Wheeling and Oglebay Park Surplus Auction at the city Operations Center on Hunter Avenue in Clator.

The auction begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, and the public will be able to inspect the items up for sale beginning at 9 a.m., according to veteran auctioneer Jim Frio, who has been conducting such sales for the city over the past 20 years. Such sales help the city get something in return for older items and vehicles that still have some useful life in them but have been replaced with newer models.

And it's even possible to participate without changing out of your bathrobe. Frio said those who can't make it in person can watch the auction live on the Internet at www.frioauctions.com, and place bids through the website.

Article Photos

Photo by Ian HicksAuctioneer Jim Frio looks over a garbage packer that is one of the many items up for sale at Saturday’s City of Wheeling and Oglebay Park Surplus Auction.

Among the more unusual items up for sale are a backhoe, a garbage packer, a recycling truck and a tree stump grinder. Some of these items may be available for extremely low amounts simply because there aren't many people who are in need of such equipment.

A 15-foot boat with outboard motor as well as three paddle boats will be sold, and there are also passenger vehicles available, including Crown Victorias, a Dodge Durango, Lincoln Navigator and others. Some are former police vehicles, while others have been seized from drug dealers, according to Frio.

"They make great work cars or cars for kids going to school," said Frio, noting the vehicles may have high mileage but have been well taken care of by the city. "They have an excellent maintenance program. ... When there's something wrong with it, they get on it and fix it."

Fact Box

The City of Wheeling and Oglebay Park Surplus

Auction begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the City

Operations Center on Hunter Avenue in Clator. The items will be available for public inspection beginning at 9 a.m.

Frio said Oglebay Park is also selling some furnishings from Wilson Lodge, including lamps, artwork and more.

Various office equipment, including tables, filing cabinets, computers and printers will be available. There are even two iPods, a DVD player and a GPS unit listed among the items to be sold, according to the auction website.